The Revelation Moment

SUNRISE MEDITATION

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any person be in Christ they are a NEW creation; old things have passed away, behold all things are become new!

We revere the Christ of Calvary, for there He poured out His life in order that we might forever live in Him. But Calvary is not the end of the story! The empty Tomb, the Risen Savior manifested, is the necessary climax of the drama of eternal life.

And did you ever ask yourself how YOU know Jesus is really alive?

I. DRAMA AT THE EMPTY TOMB

All our salvation can be epitomized in a sunrise moment: Mary, empty, sad, weeping, even worshiping, comes to do homage to a dead Hope, a dead Lord. She has heard the words of life. She has known the Savior so very well that no one could ever deceive her. Still- Mary did NOT know Jesus when He met her that first Easter morning. Why, do you suppose? Tears in her eyes? Marred, mutilated face? Darkness?

"Mary!" When Jesus spoke her name something happened!

"Rabboni!" Joy! Faith! Understanding! LIFE!

WAS THIS 'RECOGNITION MOMENT' UNIQUE TO MARY?

When we speak about the Risen Lord we are speaking about the mysterious, wonderful LIFE that is the place where heaven touches the earth! It is true what is written in this Book we call the Bible. But just knowing it and even believing it intellectually does not mean that we know the risen Lord!

II. PAUL AND THE CORINTHIANS

Some of them had heard Jesus preach. They had seen Him; they said to Paul, WE knew Jesus— YOU did not!

But Paul said, (II Corinthians 5:16) Even though we have known Jesus after the flesh, yet from now on we do not know Him that way any more!

WE must know Jesus in an even more intimate way than the disciples who walked with Him and ate with Him and heard Him speak knew Him! Can you believe it?

Jesus must be personally revealed!

III. DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT SPOKE TO YOU ABOUT YOUR NEED OF A SAVIOR?

Jesus calls YOUR name! He says, YOU have sinned! YOU need a Savior! I love YOU! And He calls YOU by name!

And YOU say, with Mary: RABBONI! MASTER!!

That is what 2 Corinthians 5:17 is all about: IF ANY MAN, IF ANY WOMAN, IF ANY BOY, IF ANY GIRL BE IN CHRIST, THEY ARE A NEW CREATURE!

All because Jesus, by the power of His Holy Spirit, the Risen Jesus, comes near and makes Himself known! That is the "recognition moment!"

Prayer: O Jesus, Be Thyself to Me— a living, bright Reality!

Amen!